Forum for Science, Industry and Business

French overseas territories bring tropical flavour to SIAL 2012

27.09.2012

There will be 22 companies from France's overseas territories at SIAL 2012, which will take place from 21 to 25 October at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre (near Paris). The Pavilion at the international food trade show will display products such as Rhum Agricole, coffee, fruit-based items and seafood from Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion Island.

Products from 22 companies based in Guadeloupe and Martinique (two French départements in the Caribbean) and in Réunion Island (in the Indian Ocean) will be in the spotlight on the French Overseas Territories Pavilion at SIAL 2012. The companies will exhibit their Creole specialities to approximately 140,000 agribusiness professionals between 21 and 25 October of this year at the international trade fair, to be held at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, just north of Paris (France).

Supported by both the French Ministry for Overseas Territories and Départements and the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in London, the Pavilion, in Hall 5A (Stand 5AK 016), will be dedicated specifically to products from France's overseas island territories.

Visitors to the Pavilion will be able to taste the food on display, as well as watch cooking demonstrations such as that led by head chef of mobile-cookery company Flyin' Chef, which will be based on a variety of authentic Creole recipes and will take place twice daily. Those who require further information about the demonstrations should contact Katherine Woods, Press Officer at the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE, London.

The Rhum Agricole industry plays a significant role in the economies of all three islands on the Pavilion. Both the French West Indies and Réunion Island are renowned for their Rhum Agricole, which is made from freshly squeezed sugar cane rather than the traditional molasses, and for their punches. In Guadeloupe, rum is the third-largest export product, while 65% of Martinique's sugar-cane production is used in the manufacturing of Rhum Agricole.

In Guadeloupe, the traditional punches known as tropical-fruit rums, which won silver and bronze medals at the Paris Concours Général Agricole (France's national agricultural competition) in 2011, will be exhibited at the trade show. Isautier and Distillerie J Chatel, two companies based on Réunion Island, will also display punches made from a range of fresh ingredients including coconut, pineapple, lychee and guava.

COPCAF is a farming co-operative of approximately 40 Guadeloupian coffee growers that uses traditional coffee-making methods in its workshops. There will be an opportunity to taste its Café Mon Regard coffee at SIAL 2012.

Réunion Island is Europe's leading producer of sugar cane. The island will be represented by sugar-cane specialist Mascarin. For its part, Kanasao, a Guadeloupian company, will unveil its 100% natural cane juices next to La Sucrerie Le Galion, Martinique's last sugar refinery.

The French West Indies and Réunion Island also specialise in tropical-fruit production. Bananas are the main export crop of both Martinique and Guadeloupe, and many consider Réunion Island's Victoria pineapple, with its distinctive small size and unique flavour, to be the world's finest.

Other sweet products to be exhibited at the trade fair include chocolate bars (Elot Noir) and ice creams (Soproglaces).

Fishing is Réunion Island's second-largest source of export revenue whilst, on Guadeloupe, there is increasing diversification into marine aquaculture in order to meet the growing demand for fresh products.

Other Creole specialities that will be exhibited on the Pavilion include Accra de Morue (a traditional cod dish) and Red Creole Boudins (which are similar to sausages), prepared by Royaume du Boudin. Royal Bourbon will present its ready-made spiced vegetable Creole dishes, and there will also be the opportunity to discover Creole condiments and spices made by Tonton Clément.

Finally, the area of the Pavilion organised by Guadeloupe Expansion, the island's development agency, will display herbal slimming products by Hiteca, sweet banana wines by Domaine de Antilles, seafood from Segk Distribution, and traditional chocolates produced by Les Suprêmes.

About The French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE

UBIFRANCE is the French export-support agency. As the partner of reference for French companies wishing to export, UBIFRANCE offers a complete range of services based on the provision of information on export markets, legal issues and regulations, as well as international finance and tenders, while also supplying sectorial data.

In addition, UBIFRANCE offers export advice and targeted support to companies' commercial activities, such as exploratory visits, partnership meetings, foreign exhibitions and international press communication. Finally, UBIFRANCE runs the International Postgraduate Programme (VIE) for employing qualified personnel and young graduates outside France.

There will be 22 companies from France's overseas territories and départements showcasing their products at SIAL 2012, which will take place in the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, north of Paris (France), from 21 to 25 October 2012. The companies will be in Hall 5A (Stand 5AK 016).

The Pavilion is being supported by the French Ministry for Overseas Territories and Départements; the Chambers of Commerce and Industry for the territories of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion Island; Guadeloupe Expansion; agribusiness cluster of excellence INOVAGRO; and, finally, UBIFRANCE.

For further information about SIAL, please go to: http://www.sialparis.com/

For further information about the French Trade Commission UBIFRANCE in the UK, please go to: www.ubifrance.com/uk/

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